In this day of the “Ricoh scouting report”, and “Great American Ballpark”, and the “phone company call to the bullpen” comes this story… I thought I had seen it all, but then I suppose I should not be surprised by this. The 7-11 company has figured out a way to get a really subtle sponsorship. They’ve purchased the actual start time of the games! What’s next? Some popular hair dryer company sponsoring the air driven hand dryers in the bathrooms? Perhaps if Marge Schott were still around, she could sponsor some pooper scopper thing for Schotzie.
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to start weeknight home games at 7:11 p.m. under a sponsorship deal struck with the convenience store chain known for its Slurpee frozen drinks, the team announced Wednesday.
White Sox spokesman Scott Reifert would not disclose the value of the three-year deal with Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc., but he said the revenue it generates will probably be reinvested in the team or its ballpark.
The new start time does not represent a drastic change since many weeknight games at U.S. Cellular Field currently start at 7:07 p.m., Reifert said.
“We’re just talking about four minutes, so it’s not much of an inconvenience for the fans,” he said.
Margaret Chabris, a spokeswoman 7-Eleven, said the company has been working to develop sponsorship deals with other sports teams and entertainment venues.
The Chicago area was targeted for such a deal because of its high concentration of 7-Eleven stores, she added. There are more than 180 of them in the area.
“Every time the media announces the game’s start time it will be a gentle reminder of our sponsorship,” Chabris said.